Toilet with an inclined seating surface

ABSTRACT

In some examples there is provided a toilet comprising a pan and a seating surface. In some examples there is provided a toilet seat providing the seating surface. The seating surface is configured to at least partially circumscribe an opening into the pan. The seating surface is configured to incline downwards towards a front of the toilet with a substantially constant gradient of at least 5 arc degrees with respect to at least one of: a floor-abutment surface of the toilet; and a normal to a wall-abutment surface of the toilet.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a toilet with an inclined seating surface. Some embodiments relate to pedestal or wall-mounted toilets with inclined seating surfaces.

BACKGROUND

Toilet seats presently provide a horizontal seating surface. This enables a user to sit relatively comfortably on the toilet. As a result, a user may spend longer than necessary sitting on the toilet without short-term discomfort. Sitting on a toilet for longer than is necessary is generally undesirable.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to various, but not necessarily all examples, there is provided a toilet comprising a pan and a seating surface. The seating surface is configured to at least partially circumscribe an opening into the pan. The seating surface is configured to incline downwards towards a front of the toilet with a substantially constant gradient of at least 5 arc degrees with respect to at least one of: a floor-abutment surface of the toilet; and a normal to a wall-abutment surface of the toilet.

The substantially constant gradient may be in the range of 5 to 35 arc degrees.

The substantially constant gradient may be in the range of 11 to 35 arc degrees.

The pan may be configured with an upper rim inclined downwards towards the front of the toilet with a substantially constant gradient of at least 5 arc degrees with respect to at least one of: the floor-abutment surface of the toilet; and the normal to the wall-abutment surface of the toilet.

The seating surface may be provided by an upper surface of a toilet seat, the toilet seat being coupled to the pan and configured to be moved between raised positions and a stable, lowered position. In the stable, lowered position the toilet seat may be configured to elevate the seating surface at a proximal end relative to the seating surface at a distal end.

Elevating the seating surface at the proximal end relative to the seating surface at the distal end may provide a substantially constant gradient of at least 5 arc degrees.

In the stable, lowered position the toilet seat may abut against the pan.

The toilet seat may have a thicker profile at the proximal end than at the distal end.

The floor-abutment surface of the toilet and/or the wall-abutment surface of the toilet may comprise at least one shim, the at least one shim configured to incline the seating surface with a substantially constant gradient of at least 5 arc degrees.

According to various, but not necessarily all examples, there is provided toilet seat comprising: a seating surface provided by an upper surface of the toilet seat; and means for coupling the toilet seat to a pan of a toilet. A profile of the toilet seat is thicker at a proximal end than at a distal end. The profile provides the seating surface with a substantially constant gradient of at least 5 arc degrees with respect to a base of the toilet seat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Some examples will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B schematically show examples of a toilet as described herein;

FIG. 2 schematically shows an example of a toilet seat as described herein;

FIG. 3 schematically shows an example of a toilet pan as described herein; and

FIGS. 4A and 4B schematically show examples of shims as described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The FIGS. schematically illustrate examples of a toilet 1 in which the seating surface 3 is inclined downwards towards a front of the toilet 1. This makes it more difficult for a user to sit on the toilet 1 for extended periods of time, since engagement or additional engagement of upper leg muscles (for example: Rectus Femorus, Vestus Lateralis, Vastus Medialus) and lower leg muscles (for example: Gastrocnemius and Soleus) is required to resist sliding forward relative to the toilet 1.

Reducing the time spent sitting on the toilet 1 is desirable as spending too long sitting on the toilet 1 can cause swollen haemorrhoids and weakening of pelvic muscles.

Additional benefits to reducing the time that a person spends sitting on the toilet 1 can include: improving crowd flow through public toilets by reducing queuing times; reducing work place inefficiencies due to extended natural breaks; and reducing the use of the toilet 1 as a seat at which to perform unrelated tasks such as, for example, telecommunication activities.

The downwards incline of the seating surface 3 can make it more difficult to stand on the seating surface 3. Therefore, it may also deter a user from standing on the seating surface 3 in order to assume a squatting posture, which can increase risk of falling and injury.

Toilets 1 can be floor-mounted, such as pedestal toilets or they can be wall-mounted or hung, such as cantilever toilets. FIG. 1A schematically illustrates a floor-mounted toilet 1 and FIG. 1B schematically illustrates a wall-mounted toilet 1.

The example toilets 1 of both FIGS. 1A and 1B comprise a pan 2, sometimes known as a toilet bowl. The pan 2 may be cast or moulded from ceramic (e.g., porcelain), concrete, plastic, (medium-density fibreboard (MDF), or metal. The pan may be connected to a cistern and to a drain pipe.

The example toilets 1 of both FIGS. 1A and 1B comprise a seating surface 3 configured to at least partially circumscribe an opening into the pan 2.

The seating surface 3 is configured to incline downwards towards a front of the toilet 1 with a substantially constant gradient 4 of at least 5 arc degrees with respect to at least one of: a floor-abutment surface 5 of the toilet 1 (as per FIG. 1A); and a normal 7 to a wall-abutment surface 6 of the toilet 1 (as per FIG. 1B).

The front of the toilet 1 corresponds to the direction in which it is intended that a user should face when sitting on the toilet 1.

The seating surface 3 may be configured to incline downwards towards the front of the toilet 1 with a constant gradient 4 or at least without a concave or convex profile along the incline. It is, however, to be appreciated that the seating surface 3 may be rounded about its edges either for aesthetic purposes or to avoid sharp edges.

The seating surface 3 may be usable, by a user, as a seat when it maintains stable position under the weight of the user seated upon it. When usable, by a user, as a seat, the seating surface 3 is inclined downwards towards a front of the toilet 1 with a substantially constant gradient 4 of at least 5 arc degrees with respect to at least one of: the floor-abutment surface 5; and the normal 7 to the wall-abutment surface 6.

The floor-abutment surface 5 may comprise the base of the toilet 1 and, when installed, provides an interface between the toilet 1 and a floor.

In some examples the toilet 1 comprises two or more bores extending though a body of the toilet 1 to the floor-abutment surface 5. Threaded fasteners such as, for example, bolts, anchor bolts or screws may be disposed through the bores in order to fasten the toilet 1 to a floor or to a pipe having an opening in the floor. The bores have a diameter greater than the diameter of the shaft of the threaded fastener but less than the diameter of the head of the threaded fastener such that an underside of the head abuts against the body of the toilet 1 in order to urge the floor-abutment surface 5 against the floor. These bores may be angled such that the threaded fasteners are fastened to the floor at an angle to resist separation of the toilet 1 and the floor.

The wall-abutment-surface 6 may, when installed, provide an interface between the toilet 1 and a wall. The drain pipe to which the pan 2 may be connected can extend across this interface.

In some examples the toilet 1 comprises two or more bores extending though a body of the toilet 1 to the wall-abutment surface 6. Threaded fasteners such as, for example, bolts, anchor bolts or screws may be disposed through the bores in order to fasten the toilet 1 to a wall or wall studding or to a pipe having an opening in the wall. The bores have a diameter greater than the diameter of the shaft of the threaded fasteners but less than the diameter of the head of the threaded fasteners such that an underside of the head abuts against the body of the toilet 1 in order to urge the wall-abutment surface 6 against the wall. These bores may be angled such that the threaded fasteners are fastened to the wall or wall studding at an angle to resist separation of the toilet 1 and the wall.

The seating surface 3 is distinct from a lid which closes an upper opening to the pan 2. The seating surface 3 does not close the upper opening to the pan 2. The seating surface 3 at least partially conforms to an upper rim 8 of the pan 2 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) to define a central opening, substantially corresponding to the upper opening to the pan 2.

In some examples the substantially constant gradient 4 is in the range of 5 to 35 arc degrees. Above 5 arc degrees it can be uncomfortable for an average user to remain seated on the toilet for a period of time significantly exceeding the typical period of defecation or urination. Above 5 arc degrees it can be uncomfortable for an average user to remain seated on the toilet for a period of time exceeding, for example, 10 minutes. Above 35 arc degrees it can become uncomfortable for an average user to sit on the toilet 1 during a period of defecation or urination. For example, above 35 arc degrees it can become uncomfortable for an average user to sit on the toilet 1 for a period of 2 minutes.

A substantially constant gradient 4 of 5-8 arc degrees can produce an approximately 10-30% reduction in the average time spent per user sitting on the toilet 1 as compared to a seating surface that is not inclined.

A substantially constant gradient 4 of 8-13 arc degrees can produce an approximately 30-50% reduction in the average time spent per user sitting on the toilet 1 as compared to a seating surface that is not inclined.

A substantially constant gradient 4 of 13-35 arc degrees can produce an approximately 50-75% reduction in the average time spent per user sitting on the toilet 1 as compared to a seating surface that is not inclined.

In some examples the substantially constant gradient 4 is at least 8 arc degrees.

The substantially constant gradient 4 may be in the range of 8 to 35 arc degrees.

In some examples the substantially constant gradient 4 is at least 11 arc degrees. For example, at 11 arc degrees or more, it is uncomfortable for an average user to remain seated on the toilet 1 for a period exceeding 5 minutes.

The substantially constant gradient 4 may be in the range of 11 to 35 arc degrees.

In some examples the substantially constant gradient 4 is in the range of 11 to 13 arc degrees.

The downwards incline of the seating surface 3 can be achieved in various manners. FIGS. 2, 3, 4A, and 4B illustrate examples in which the downwards incline of the seating surface 3 is achieved.

In the example of FIG. 2, the seating surface 3 is provided by an upper surface of a toilet seat 9. The toilet seat may be formed of plastic, metal, MDF, or wood.

The toilet seat 9 is configured to couple to the pan 2 via means for coupling 10. The means for coupling 10 may comprise one or more hinges or any other means providing a pivotal coupling. The toilet seat 9 is, when coupled to the pan, configured to be moved between raised positions and a stable, lowered position. The seating portion 3 can be used, by a user, as a seat when it is in the stable, lowered position. In the stable, lowered position the toilet seat 9 may abut against the pan 2.

In this example, when disposed in the stable, lowered position, the toilet seat 9 is configured to elevate the seating surface 3 at a proximal end 11 relative to the seating surface 3 at a distal end 12. Alone or in combination with an inclined upper rim 8 of the pan 2 (as described in relation to FIG. 3 below), elevating the seating surface 3 at the proximal end 11 relative to the seating surface 3 at the distal end 12, provides a substantially constant gradient of at least 5 arc degrees.

It is to be appreciated that the proximal end 11 and the distal end 12 are defined with respect to the means for coupling 10.

The elevation of the seating surface 3 at the proximal end 11 relative to the seating surface 3 at the distal end 12 may result from a profile of the toilet seat 9.

For example, the toilet seat 9 may have a thicker profile at the proximal end 11 than at the distal end 12. The profile of the toilet seat 9 may provide the seating surface 3 with a substantially constant gradient 4 of at least 5 arc degrees with respect to a base 13 of the toilet seat 9. The seating surface 3 trends towards the base 13 of the toilet seat 9 with distance from the proximal end 11. The separation between the seating surface 3 and the base 13 of the toilet seat 9 decreases with distance from the proximal end 11.

The base 13 of the toilet seat 9 may be defined by the underside of toilet seat 9 or by any seat buffers that may be attached to the underside of the toilet seat 9.

In the example of FIG. 3, the pan 2 is formed with an upper rim 8 inclined downwards towards the front of the toilet 1 with a substantially constant gradient of at least 5 arc degrees with respect to at least one of: the floor-abutment surface 5; and the normal 7 to the wall-abutment surface 6.

In some examples, the seating surface 3 may be formed integrally with the pan 2. For example, the upper rim 8 of the pan 2 may be formed as a seat for a user. In other examples the seating surface 3 may be provided by a separate toilet seat 9 coupled to the pan 2.

To achieve the downward incline of the upper rim 8, the upper rim 8 of the pan 2 at the front may be lowered or the upper rim 8 of the pan 2 at the rear raised. In some examples of floor-mounted toilets 1, the upper rim 8 of the pan 2 at the front may be separated from the plane of the floor-abutment surface 5 by at least 350 mm in the direction of the normal to this plane. In some examples of floor-mounted toilets 1, the upper rim 8 of the pan 2 at the front may be separated from the plane of the floor-abutment surface 5 by 425 mm or less in the direction of the normal to this plane.

The downwards incline of the upper rim 8 of the pan 2 can additionally make urination from a standing position easier, and thus the toilet 1 is well-adapted for unisex facilities.

In the example of FIG. 4A, the floor-abutment surface 5 comprises a surface of at least one shim 14 which may be mounted to a base of the toilet 1 or disposed between the base of the toilet 1 and the floor. In some examples, the at least one shim 14 may be integrally formed with the toilet 1 during the casting or moulding process.

In the example of FIG. 4B, the wall-abutment surface 6 comprises a surface of at least one shim 14 which may be mounted to a back of the toilet 1 or disposed between the back of the toilet 1 and the wall.

The at least one shim 14 may comprise corresponding bores to those located through the body of the toilet 1 such that anchor bolts or screws extending through the bores in the body of the toilet 1 also extend through the bores in the at least one shim 14 and then into the floor or wall.

In the examples of FIGS. 4A and 4B, the at least one shim 14 is configured to incline the seating surface with a substantially constant gradient of at least 5 arc degrees by means of correspondingly inclining the body of the toilet 1 as a whole.

It is to be appreciated that a combination of each of the examples of FIGS. 2, 3, 4A, and 4B can be used to achieve the desired gradient of the downwards inclined seating surface 3.

In the foregoing, reference has been made to the toilet 1. It is to be appreciated that the toilet 1 is a piece of hardware that is configured to enable the collection of or disposal of human excreta (urine and feces). The toilet 1 refers to the hardware whether installed in a facility or not. The toilet 1 may be connected to a wider system in order to achieve the collection of or disposal of urine and feces. For example, the toilet 1 may comprise an outlet which can be, on installation of the hardware in a facility, connected to a holding tank, a septic tank or into a sewage system. The toilet 1 may also comprises an inlet which can be, on installation of the hardware in a facility, connected to plumbing within the facility.

The toilet 1 may be a flush toilet having a siphonic or non-siphonic design.

It is to be appreciated that the toilet 1 is not a urinal. For example, the pan 2 may comprise an outlet (distinct from its upper opening) which is sized to enable the passage of feces out of the pan 2.

Where a structural feature has been described, it may be replaced by means for performing one or more of the functions of the structural feature whether that function or those functions are explicitly or implicitly described.

The term ‘comprise’ is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y. If it is intended to use ‘comprise’ with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context by referring to “comprising only one . . . ” or by using “consisting”.

In this description, reference has been made to various examples. The description of features or functions in relation to an example indicates that those features or functions are present in that example. The use of the term ‘example’ or ‘for example’ or ‘can’ or ‘may’ in the text denotes, whether explicitly stated or not, that such features or functions are present in at least the described example, whether described as an example or not, and that they can be, but are not necessarily, present in some of or all other examples. Thus ‘example’, ‘for example’, ‘can’ or ‘may’ refers to a particular instance in a class of examples. A property of the instance can be a property of only that instance or a property of the class or a property of a sub-class of the class that includes some but not all of the instances in the class. It is therefore implicitly disclosed that a feature described with reference to one example but not with reference to another example, can where possible be used in that other example as part of a working combination but does not necessarily have to be used in that other example. Although examples have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described above.

Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.

Although features have been described with reference to certain examples, those features may also be present in other examples whether described or not.

The term ‘a’ or ‘the’ is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising a/the Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y unless the context clearly indicates the contrary. If it is intended to use ‘a’ or ‘the’ with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context. In some circumstances the use of ‘at least one’ or ‘one or more’ may be used to emphasis an inclusive meaning but the absence of these terms should not be taken to infer and exclusive meaning.

The presence of a feature (or combination of features) in a claim is a reference to that feature or (combination of features) itself and also to features that achieve substantially the same technical effect (equivalent features). The equivalent features include, for example, features that are variants and achieve substantially the same result in substantially the same way. The equivalent features include, for example, features that perform substantially the same function, in substantially the same way to achieve substantially the same result.

In this description, reference has been made to various examples using adjectives or adjectival phrases to describe characteristics of the examples. Such a description of a characteristic in relation to an example indicates that the characteristic is present in some examples exactly as described and is present in other examples substantially as described.

Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features believed to be of importance it should be understood that the Applicant may seek protection via the claims in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not emphasis has been placed thereon. 

I/we claim:
 1. A toilet comprising: a pan; and a seating surface configured to: at least partially circumscribe an opening into the pan; and incline downwards towards a front of the toilet with a substantially constant gradient of at least 5 arc degrees with respect to at least one of: a floor-abutment surface of the toilet; and a normal to a wall-abutment surface of the toilet.
 2. The toilet of claim 1, wherein the substantially constant gradient is in the range of 5 to 35 arc degrees.
 3. The toilet of claim 2, wherein the substantially constant gradient is in the range of 11 to 35 arc degrees.
 4. The toilet of claim 1, wherein the pan is formed with an upper rim inclined downwards towards the front of the toilet with a substantially constant gradient of at least 5 arc degrees with respect to at least one of: the floor-abutment surface of the toilet; and the normal to the wall-abutment surface of the toilet.
 5. The toilet of claim 1, wherein the seating surface is provided by an upper surface of a toilet seat, the toilet seat being coupled to the pan and configured to be moved between raised positions and a stable, lowered position, and wherein in the stable, lowered position the toilet seat is configured to elevate the seating surface at a proximal end relative to the seating surface at a distal end.
 6. The toilet of claim 5 wherein elevating the seating surface at the proximal end relative to the seating surface at the distal end provides a substantially constant gradient of at least 5 arc degrees.
 7. The toilet of claim 5, wherein in the stable, lowered position the toilet seat abuts against the pan.
 8. The toilet of claim 5, wherein the toilet seat has a thicker profile at the proximal end than at the distal end.
 9. The toilet of claim 1 wherein the floor-abutment surface of the toilet and/or the wall-abutment surface of the toilet comprises at least one shim, the at least one shim configured to incline the seating surface with a substantially constant gradient of at least 5 arc degrees.
 10. A toilet seat comprising: a seating surface provided by an upper surface of the toilet seat; means for coupling the toilet seat to a pan of a toilet, wherein a profile of the toilet seat is thicker at a proximal end than at a distal end, the profile providing the seating surface with a substantially constant gradient of at least 5 arc degrees with respect to a base of the toilet seat. 